Jake was humming as he came through the door. Libby was in the kitchen making lunch from the left over turkey, Charlie kept her company sitting at the table coloring while baby Elizabeth slept peacefully in the other room.
"Someone sure sounds happy. Did Cassandra get off ok?" She asked.
"Yup."
"And, did you see Susan afterwards? Josh told me you were going to see her after you took Cassandra to the airport."
"Yup." He replied.
"Jake are you just going to give me one syllable answers? I want to know everything. "Did the sparks fly between you two again?''
"She invited me to go to London with her."
"And you said yes, right?" Her eyes brightened at the thought of them together again.
"I said no." He tousled his nephew's hair then took one of the turkey sandwiches Libby just made and took a big bite.
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I want you to be happy."
"It's ok, we realized it's not in the cards for us, she could never get used to this life again and I have a new job that I like very much." He gave her a hug and kissed her on the cheek. "But thanks for looking out for me sis."
He looked around the empty quiet house. "So where is everybody?" He asked.
"Dad's in his favorite place," she replied pointing to the den, "Wyatt and A.J. are at the park with Billy and the boys. Amy went to check on her house and Josh is…somewhere, not sure where though."
"Where's Emma?" He looked around to see where she could be. "I have a surprise for her."
"She's probably upstairs in one of the rooms." Jake smiled; he knew which one.
"Hi monkey" He greeted as he opened the door to his old room.
"Hi Uncle Jake, I'm almost finished the book."
"Already? Emma you need to pace yourself." He chuckled remembering how he was the same way when he got swept up in a book.
"Hey sweetheart, while I was in Tulsa I saw a sign for an exhibit at an art gallery not too far from here that is featuring art work and books on King Arthur. There is even going to be a storyteller as well. I thought you might like to go."
"I'd love to!" she exclaimed jumping off the bed. "When do we go?"
"Right now, I called your mom and she it's ok so go get your coat darlin'." He got her a sandwich and a juice to eat in the truck. In between bites she chattered with excitement.
"I've never been to an art gallery before have you?"
"Oh a few."
"Uncle Jake?"
"Yeah monkey."
"You are smart too, right, as smart as me."
"I don't know how smart are you?"
"They said I have an IQ of 195."
Jake smiled. "No I'm not as smart as you." Emma frowned.
"190." He replied.
"I knew it! You are like me."
"Yeah you found out my secret." He touched her cheek and she giggled when he playfully pulled the hood from her coat over her head.
"But why don't you tell anybody, Uncle Jake?"
"Well it's complicated, I when I was growing up it wasn't so cool to be smart so I kind of kept it to myself. It was easier that way for me, but I don't want you to be ashamed of your gift, and that is what it is."
"Are you still ashamed?"
"Not any more sweetheart, not anymore."
They arrived at the gallery a little past one in the afternoon and went inside. A CD of instrumental Celtic Christmas music played softly in the background. There were fifteen other people there and Jake and Cassie took their time looking at each canvas, Jake explaining what was being depicted, the symbolism, giving her information about the artist and the period. Emma listened to him with undivided attention; master and student were enjoying their afternoon.
The storyteller was announced and the group made their way to another room. The stage was dimly lit and dressed to look like a room from the medieval times.
He came out dressed and introduced himself as Sir Galahad. He recited poem about Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, his English accent made Emma feel like she was in that world. He recounted many battles he and Arthur fought together. Jake studied his costume very carefully. It looked very much like an authentic suit of armor and coat of arms he saw in England, but he told himself it was not possible, those things were priceless and in museums.
"The last thing I would like to show you is how a knight uses his sword to defend himself. I need a volunteer from the audience." As he scanned the room, two young boys a tall one and his shorter companion came up to the stage.
"Enthusiasm, that's what I like. Well let me size you two up." He made the tall one turn around. He let him take the sword which he tried to lift it up but the weight was too much for him. "Sorry my good man, perhaps in a few years when you have put on a few pounds." The audience laughed as he motioned for him to take his seat.
The other boy remained on stage. Sir Galahad walked around him then took his sword and measured him with it. My dear sir, in order to be a knight you must be taller than your weapon. Come back to me when you have grown more." The audience was thoroughly enjoying their show and Emma was giggling with delight.
"I need some one like…" he scanned the audience again. "You sir, yes you in the blue shirt. A man behind Jake stood up. "No, you." He pointed at Jake and motioned him to come. Jake tried to refuse politely.
"Come on Uncle Jake, you can take on that old knight." The audience cheered him on and he went up to the stage feeling quite embarrassed.
"Ah, thank you for your cooperation, my good man. I shall call you… son of Armineous." Now let me show you a few maneuvers. He got another sword from a gallery worker and the two began their simulation.
"Excellent work son of Armineous, excellent. The old knight pulled him close for one move and whispered, Ríce Withinnan Ádloma." Jake recognized the phrase as old English for Power Within One and stared at him, baffled by the phrase. He got the feeling he'd heard it before. He stepped back to face him again, the jovial nature of the performance was now gone. The knight's face was somber and his breathing became heavy and focused. He lunged at Jake with the full force of his body, making Jake stumble back. He regained his balance, blocked the knight's strike and lunged back disarming him.
The audience leapt from their chairs and gave the pair a standing ovation. Emma was shouting, "That's my Uncle Jake!"
Jake gave a shy bow and tried to exit the stage quickly. He got back to his seat when the knight called him back.
"You sir are the first to disarm me in a millennia, please accept this humble gift as a reward." Everyone called for him to go up. The knight presented him with a burlap pouch.
Inside was a blue, crystal jewel about three inches in diameter. "Keep it safe." He warned pressing it in his hand and closing it for him. It was nothing expensive he noted on inspection, but it made for a nice souvenir. He tucked in his coat pocket. Jake smirked, this guy is really taking this too seriously.
"How did you learn to sword fight like that?" Emma asked on the way home.
"Instinct I guess." He answered not sure himself, but it felt familiar, he remembered having a similar dream once, the product of reading too many stories about knights as a child he mused.
When they got back home everyone was there gathered around the table eating and talking. Emma told them all about their trip to the gallery making the boys very jealous. For once they were envious of her.
"Uncle Jake can you take us?" Shane pleaded. "Yeah, I want to see a sword fight" Travis added. They then used their forks as swords to fight each other. A.J. and Charlie piped in too. "We want to go see the knight."
"We'll see about it." Jake felt his phone vibrate and picked it up.
"Mr. Stone, we need you back at the Library ASAP." Jenkins voice sounded worried.
